Half-term family fun in South East England

With the kids now back in school, get a head-start on keeping them entertained during the fast-approaching October half term. Throughout South East England all sorts of activities are taking place, from Wizards Week to Ghostly Submarine tours, so you can be sure of finding something to engage and delight.

23rd -31st: Have a blast at Beaulieu (Beaulieu, Hampshire)
This half term Beaulieu, home to the National Motor Museum, will be putting on an array of activities to keep the whole family entertained. Be prepared to be wowed by an explosive firework display, become part of the world’s greatest car show at the Top Gear Enormodrome or scare yourselves silly on the ‘Ghost Hunter’ walks in the haunted Abbey Cloister.
beaulieu.co.uk

23rd – 31st: Take a tour on a spooky Sub! (Gosport, Hampshire)
Take a spooky tour back in time on the HMS Alliance at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum. Armed with just a torch families will be given a ghostly tour through this World War 2 submarine, where they will meet members of the crew and hear their stories along the way. Not for the faint-hearted!
submarine-museum.co.uk

23rd – 31st: Pumpkin Trail aboard HMS Warrior 1860. (Portsmouth, Hampshire). Why not visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this half term? Explore the museums and join the fun as the whole family hunts for the Pumpkins aboard HMS Warrior 1860 - once the pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet.
historicdockyard.co.uk

25th - 31st: Wizard Week at Isle of Wight Steam Rail (Isle of Wight)
Have a ‘wail’ of a time dressing-up as wizards to experience some Hallowe’en fun with magic shows, an enchanting Woodland Walk and steam train rides. There is also the chance to get up close and personal with the birds of prey and owls…not to mention the bats! (visitwight.co.uk). The best way to head down to one of the UK’s most popular family holiday destinations is by ferry. Prices start from around £20 for a fully flexible day return ticket based on two adults and two children travelling with Wightlink.
wightlink.co.uk

25th – 31st: Halloween Grim Tales at Painshill Park (Cobham, Surrey)
Taking place over the half term break, there will be guided tours around the haunted ruins, eerie lakes and magical crystal grotto of Surrey’s Painshill Park, where you will join a storyteller to hear grim tales of ghostly goings-on. There is also the opportunity to carve pumpkin lanterns to take home!
painshill.co.uk

25th- 31st: Halloween at the Spinnaker Tower (Portsmouth, Hampshire)
Add an extra scary element to Hallowe’en and experience it at 170 metres in the air, with spooky activities and ghostly tales being told at the iconic Spinnaker Tower (spinnakertower.co.uk), overlooking Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
VisitPortsmouth.co.uk

27th: Hocus Pocus in the Park, Shenley Wood (Milton Keynes)
Dress to thrill as wizards and witches and learn all about potions and herbology. Children will also get the chance to make their very own magic spell book to create all sorts of double, double, toil and trouble. Please note, caldrons and black cats not included!
amazing-mk.co.uk

27th: Children’s tour of Waddesdon Manor (Buckinghamshire)
If you fancy exploring this historic Manor house near Aylesbury with your very own guide, before it is open to the public, children and one accompanying adult can do so for free on 27th October only. Prior booking is essential as places are limited (waddesdon.org.uk). To ensure you get to Waddesdon Manor earlier enough, the Oxford Thames Four Pillar Hotel is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some family fun at the four star hotel, set in 30 acres of Oxfordshire parkland. Rooms start at £53 per person per night, during October half term.
four-pillars.co.uk

27th-31st Basildon Park Spooktacular (Reading, Berkshire)
Explore this impressive National Trust Georgian mansion and gardens during the half term Spooktacular, complete with spooky trails, story telling and things that go bump in the night!
VisitThames.co.uk

30th: Firework Spectacular at Ascot Racecourse (Ascot, Berkshire)
Complete with balloon artists, fairground rides on the Plaza Lawns and then a spectacular firework display, this day fizzes with excitement for the whole family.
ascot.co.uk

For more information about days out and short breaks in the South East, visit: funfamilydaysout.com

For more information on visiting South East England, including places to stay from B&Bs to luxury hotels, see: visitsoutheastengland.com